I! Cleaner!

This is...

Staring at the hand-painted ticket with a watercolor of a misty starry sky and a small rose emblem in the corner, Leon asked, somewhat puzzled,

"Are you saying... the princess invited me to see a play?"

"Yes."

Curious, after glancing at the goat's head on Leon's desk, the maid, sent by the princess to deliver the ticket, bowed slightly and said respectfully,

"Master Wilde's Morning Star Troupe is performing his most classic play at the Central Cross Theater today. It's a rare opportunity. Princess Veronica loves Master Wilde's works, and upon hearing the news, she thought of you immediately. She hopes you can make some time this afternoon to accompany her to enjoy the Morning Star Troupe's performance."

"..."

I don't believe you for a second!

Remembering how confused he was when he tried to break off the engagement before, Leon's expression turned slightly dark and he instinctively became cautious.

*Would an absolute workaholic, who has nothing but files on the bookshelf in his bedroom-office hybrid, really be a drama enthusiast?*

Oh, come off it!

Anyone with a bit of sense could see that this invitation wasn't genuinely about the play; she was definitely targeting him!

Relying on his keen vigilance to sense the "simmering hostility" behind the ticket, Leon simply shook his head and returned the ticket.

"Please tell her I'm planning to work overtime today."

When he had abruptly gone to break off the engagement before, definitely catching her off guard, he still almost got persuaded to receive a marriage certificate on the spot.

This time, she clearly came prepared, and if he dared to join her for the play, it would likely then lead to dinner, shopping, clothes buying, a stroll down the street, sightseeing... oh, it's already so late, why not stay over tonight, and so on, trapping him completely!

If he watched this play, he probably wouldn't be coming back!

"Your Grace, please don't be in such a hurry to refuse."

It seemed the maid, sent to deliver the ticket, was already aware of what might happen and wasn't surprised by Leon's refusal. Instead, she smiled softly, saying,

"Although your sister Miss Anna's body has recovered, having been ill for many years means her health isn't particularly robust and still needs careful nursing. Coincidentally, Princess Veronica managed to find the best pharmacist in all of the Capital City..."

Hearing the maid's words, Leon couldn't help but frown, saying,

"So, is she implying that if I want to help Anna recover, I must accompany her to watch today's play in exchange?"

"No, not at all! Please don't misunderstand!"

The maid hurriedly shook her head in response, saying,

"Princess Veronica mentioned that she has already made a similar mistake once before with you and would never make this mistake again. She promises to treat you sincerely and won't play any petty tricks anymore.

Whether you go to see today's play or not, Miss Anna's health will receive the best care. Anna's situation isn't related to her invitation; Princess Veronica has already sent someone to request the pharmacist this morning."

"..."

"Moreover, aside from helping Miss Anna recover, she is also getting in touch with several experienced teachers to ensure your brother and sister can receive a better education without transferring schools.

Besides that, the Purification Bureau's budget for next year will be maximally adjusted, among other things. Princess Veronica told me these aren't gifts or flattery but her way of apologizing for the past events.

At the time, she was impulsive and played a few not-so-nice tricks on you, for which she feels very guilty and wants to do something to make up for it. She hopes you won't refuse and will give her a chance to compensate you."

"..."

*Is she compensating me? She's practically welding the ticket right into my hand!*

Having listened to the maid's "relay," Leon could only let out a long sigh, realizing that he probably couldn't avoid attending the play this afternoon.

Just one night had passed, and the princess had already done so much. Moreover, she refused to acknowledge any "favor done" or "goodwill," insisting that it was to amend her previous mistake, hoping he'd offer her a chance to make up for it...

*She's gone this far, and even lowered herself so much, can I really bear not to accompany her to a single play?*

"Alright..."

She targeted his most cherished family, demonstrated her utmost sincerity right from the outset, and lowered her stance to offer favor without requesting anything in return... My own weakness seemed to have been completely exploited by her...

Under the princess's intense offensive, Leon, whose face was yet to become thick-skinned to that extent, could only silently take the ticket from the desk, preparing to brace himself and head into this Dragon's Den and Tiger's Lair.

*Watching a play isn't so bad... Where should I find her?*

And seeing him reluctantly putting away the ticket, the maid who brought it couldn't help but smile slightly. She then stood up, saluted, gestured slightly toward the door, and answered in a warm voice,

"Princess Veronica's carriage is now parked on the main road outside the police department. You can go directly, and Her Highness should be waiting for you in the carriage."

"..."

Well then, she practically came right up to the doorstep... So she knew from the beginning that once I'd accepted the benefits, there was no way I'd be able to refuse to accompany her to the play, right?

This woman really is... She might not have the smartest brain, but she truly understands human nature. Having only met me a handful of times, she found a way to completely handle me.

Since resistance was futile, it seemed he had no choice but to enjoy it. Thoroughly arranged by the princess, Leon could only take his "Dragon's Den and Tiger's Lair Pass" and leave the Purification Bureau, finding the carriage parked at the road's end under the maid's guidance.

"Here! Over here!"

Upon seeing Leon, the princess, wearing a plush long dress, poked her head out of the carriage window, waving enthusiastically at him. She then proactively pushed open the carriage door, making room inside, her eyes full of joy saying,

"I thought you'd be mad at me and wouldn't want to accompany me to the theater... Leon, you're the best!"

"..."

*"I'm the best," huh... quit messing around, will you? This was obviously all part of your plan. Given your usual busy schedule, if you weren't sure I'd definitely come, would you really spend the time waiting out here?*

Yet, even though he saw through the princess's little tricks at a glance, seeing that playful, charming face blossoming into a radiant smile because of his arrival, Leon's heart, which harbored minor resentment for being "forced" to come, couldn't help but dissipate instantly.

*How should I put it... For some people, even if you know she's likely pretending, and that even this smile might not be completely genuine, you just can't find it in your heart to stay mad at her.*

Thinking of all the effort she'd invested, just to win his favor, even though he knew it might be fake, he felt a bit touched. He was willing to act like a fool who understood nothing and just go along with it...

*Hiss! Leon, oh Leon, you need to wake up! You can't let yourself become such a fool!*

Steadying his heart with a deep breath of chilly air, Leon quietly boarded the carriage, trying to ask calmly,

"Princess, today..."

"Call me Veronica."

Sniffing her nose, reddened from waiting by the roadside in the cold, Princess Veronica took the initiative to hold Leon's arm, her soft and full body leaning gently against him, her voice pleading slightly as she said,

"It's so cold today, Leon, could you let me lean on you for a while? Just a little while!"

"..."